Thanking Our Veterans

ALL ARE invited and encouraged to line the streets of Ponca City’s Grand Avenue on Saturday to acknowledge and show appreciation for our nation’s veterans and support for those who still serve out great nation. (News File Photo by Rolf Clements)

The annual Veterans Day Parade — designated with Regional Veterans Day Parade status by the Veterans Administration and winner of a National Community Service award just last year — will be held this Saturday, Nov. 3.

And it promises to be the biggest and best yet show of the immense respect and support

FOLLOW THE Parade route to War Memorial Park, where the Veterens Day Celebration to follow will feature period war reenactors, a Korea-era MASH hospital, a Hiller “evac” helicopter, and mulitudes of armed services equipment and armaments on display. (News File Photo by Rolf Clements)

Ponca City and surrounding communities have for our nation’s troops and its veterans.

“We have some really big plans for this year and we hope to have our best parade ever,” says Parade Marshal Gary Miles. “With VFW post 1201 having received a national award for last year’s event, additional funding from the

PO-HI STEPPERS carry a giant American flag in the Ponca City Veterans Parade held in 2016. Last year’s edition won the National Community Service Award from the Veteran’s of War. This year’s parade, expected to be even larger, begins at 10:45 a.m. this Saturday, Nov. 3. (News File Photo by Rolf Clements)

national organization for this year’s parade.”

The event will begin with the largest yet flyover by a wide array of “warbirds” that were in service in various eras of conflict to include P-51 Mustangs and a B-25 Mitchell Bomber.

The procession to follow will feature the 77th Army Band, WWII and Korean War

AIRPLANE FLYOVERS were a crowd pleaser at the Veteran’s Parade held in 2014. A massive flyover is planned for the 2018 event, to include numerous warbirds such as P-51 Mustangs and a B-25 Mitchell Bomber. (News File Photo by Rolf Clements)

veterans as guests of honor, reenactors from all major conflicts, and a long procession of floats mixed in with military machinery.

A special recognition of the Centennial of WWI will also be presented with the assistance of school children from Roosevelt Elementary.

Special parade guests include former parade chairman Bob Robins; former parade secretary

AN ALL-SERVICES color guard parades Grand Avenue during the Ponca City Veterans Day Parade held in 2016. Those who served in any branch of our Armed Forces will be honored on Saturday. WWII and Korean War veterans will be guests of honor. (News File Photo by Rolf Clements)

Diane Suzuki; National AMBUC Veterans Coordinator Erin Slawinsky; State VFW Commander Coral Pooch; VFW Riders from both Oklahoma and Kansas escorting older veterans; and Mike Boettcher, war correspondent and producer of the award-winning “Hornet’s Nest” documentary, which followed North American troops during nine harrowing days of combat in Afghanistan

Following the parade —

WARBIRDS OF every era will be parked along the taxiway of the Ponca City Regional Airport before the parade begins with flyover participants set to enjoy the Ponca City Aviation Foundation’s monthly Fly-In Breakfast. Have a great pre-parade buffet breakfast — served from 7-10 a.m. for just $8 for adults and $4 for kids — and take a close look at these historic wartime planes. (News File Photo by Rolf Clements)

and the parade route leading to War Memorial Park — a Veterans Day Celebration will feature food, live music, myriad booths featuring memorabilia and artifacts from all our nation’s conflicts, and numerous other activities.

The entire community of Ponca City and surrounding areas are encouraged to attend and show our support for

VETERANS MEET to eat and visit during the veterans display activity held at War Memorial Park in 2016. (News File Photo by Rolf Clements)

those who served, or still serve, our great nation.

For information on receiving well-deserved VIP treatment at the parade and subsequent celebration at War Memorial Park, veterans are encouraged to call 580-761-2431 for details. Meals, transportation, and assistance is available.

Representatives from the VFW, the Veterans Administration, Humana, and other organizations will be on hand to offer veterans any assistance needed.